Popovich continues to adjust lineup

Beginning the final three weeks of the NBA’s compressed schedule with back-to-back games against the Utah Jazz, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich went with another lineup wrinkle designed to manage the minutes of key players.

After starting DeJuan Blair at center for the first 53 games, Popovich went with newcomer Boris Diaw in the middle for Sunday’s game at the AT&T Center.

Blair didn’t play at all, and neither did forward Stephen Jackson. Both were healthy and in uniform, but Popovich had told both players before tipoff to not plan on seeing any court time.

The coach would not reveal his plans for tonight’s rematch in Utah.

Might some players even remain at home when the team’s charter flight takes off for Salt Lake City?

Jackson offered a hint as he exited the locker room to head to San Antonio International Airport.

“See you when we get back,” he called to guard Manu Ginobili, who scored 23 points in little more than 28 minutes in Sunday’s 114-104 win.

Ginobili insisted he had received no instructions to remain behind but also could not say for certain he would be on the plane.

Starting guard Danny Green, however, had his orders before departing the locker room.

“They told me to get my ass to the airport,” he said.

Veteran Spurs aren’t surprised by Popovich’s lineup tinkering.

“He’s doing his thing,” point guard Tony Parker said. “He’s trying to manage everybody. Tonight it was ‘Jack’ and DeJuan.

“He’s telling us before every game who’s not going to play. We all have to be ready.”

Who would have imagined? When Popovich told his team that Diaw would be starting at center, it fulfilled a dream shared years ago by the big man and his high school friend, Parker.

“It was funny when Pop said ‘Bobo’ was in the starting five,” Parker said. “I felt like it was like a dream almost. Growing up together, going to high school, the same classroom, dreaming about the NBA … I never thought I’d be in the starting five with him for the Spurs, one of the best teams in the NBA.

“It’s a great feeling, a great two weeks, three weeks since he’s been here. He hasn’t even lost yet. He won more games with us in a week than he did with Charlotte. It’s a fact. I’m not talking trash.”

Indeed, the Spurs have won 10 times since Diaw signed with the Spurs on March 23. The Bobcats, who have won only seven games this season, bought him out of his contract March 21.

Diaw scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting, including a 3-pointer, before fouling out in the fourth quarter Sunday.

“We wanted to get him some playing time so he’ll know what the hell we’re doing out there,” said Popovich, who gave Diaw a mixed review. “(He did) some really good stuff and some really bad stuff. He’s trying to figure out what we want.”